Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Administrator

Colonel (Retired) James DS. Barros assumed the post of Administrator for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) on February 1, 2023.

Barros returned to State service from Booz Allen Hamilton, where he worked as its Senior Exercise Planner with the 25th Infantry Division. Prior to that, he was an emergency management staff officer with the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management.

Barros recently retired from the Hawai‘i Army National Guard (HIARNG) after a 32-year career, with 22 years in active service. Barros was the Chief of the Joint Staff for the Hawai‘i National Guard’s COVID-19 Joint Task Force. The force, more than 1,300 strong, was established to support the state’s preparation and response to the COVID-19 epidemic.

From 2017-2019, Barros served as the Hawaii National Guard Director for Joint Domestic Operations (DOMOPS). While the HING DOMOPS, Barros supported State operations in support of the emergency responses to Kaua‘i flooding, Hawai‘i island lava eruption, wildfires on Maui, and preparation for and response to Hurricanes Lane, Norman, and Olivia.

During his tenure in the HING Joint Staff, Barros expanded international engagements with HING state partners Philippines and Indonesia. He established the Combined Task Force (CTF) 501 which included Urban-Search and Rescue teams from the HING, Philippines and Indonesia. CTF 501 conducted joint confined-space training and high-angle rescues during summer rotations in Hawai‘i. In 2019, Barros worked with the cities of Makati and Pasig in developing and executing the Community Disaster Resilience Exchange (CDRE) in the Philippines.

“I am honored to be the newest member of the HI-EMA Team and for the privilege to serve as the Administrator,” Barros at the time of his appointment in January 2023. “I look forward to working closely with Governor Green and MG Hara as we strengthen the partnerships with our county teammates, volunteer organizations, and our communities. HI-EMA is a dynamic organization with diverse responsibilities to prepare and protect the people of Hawai‘i.”